Mother of Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, a social critic, has passed on. 
She died on Tuesday at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, where she was being treated, a report by Daily Trust stated.

The deceased, according to her sons, Aminu and Usman, was rushed to the hospital around midnight and later placed on oxygen as doctors battled to stabilise her.
Usman said their late mother was battling an ulcer and high blood pressure.
He, however, said she was fine on Monday and had visited several persons, including one of their relatives who was bereaved.
“She was okay when she went to bed. However, she woke up at midnight and she couldn’t talk, she became unconscious and was rushed to the hospital,” he said.
He said her Janaizah prayer will hold after Asr prayer at the family residence at Gombe Road following which she will be buried at the Tudun Wada burial ground in Kaduna.
The son of the deceased, Dadiyata, has been missing since August 2, 2019, when unidentified men seized him from his residence in Barnawa neighbourhood in Kaduna State. 
According to the account given by the police, he was returning home at about 1:00 am when some armed men breached his house’s security and took him away in his BMW car.
To date, he and the vehicle have not been found.
Dadiyata, a lecturer at the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, is suspected to have been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Activists and rights groups have been making appeals to the Nigerian Government to determine the whereabouts of Dadiyata, a known critic of Muhammadu Buhari's government and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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An Islamic cleric, Dr Abdul Haady Tiamiyu has warned that the growing menace of street children and urchins in garages, motor parks, slums and markets in southwestern Nigeria may be worse than the Boko Haram menace in northern Nigeria.
 
According to Daily Post, Tiamiyu made this disclosure while delivering the 2022 Oyo State House of Assembly Muslim Community Ramadan Lecture titled “Nigeria’s Current Social Vices: Islamic Antidotes”.
 
Banditry, terrorism and the Boko Haram menace which started in 2009 in Borno State have been attributed to the growing rate of uneducated street children in many parts of northern Nigeria.
 
Tiamiyu, who is a Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Abeokuta, Ogun State while delivering the lecture in Ibadan, warned that the menace of street children at motor parks, slums and markets if not urgently addressed by the governments of Southwest may be worse than Boko Haram in the northern region.
 
The cleric identified the root cause of banditry, kidnapping and terrorism in the Northern part of Nigeria as the Almajiri system.
 
He explained that the Almajiri system gave rise to millions of street and abandoned children who have now constituted themselves into dangerous groups threatening the peace and existence of the nation.
 
The cleric said people should expect an alarming surge in crime rates when they continue to give birth to children without proper parental care and quality education.
 
He identified the collapse of the country’s educational and family system, failure of the political class, lack of provisions for the weak and the poor as well as a failure of faith-based communities and groups as the root cause of the current social vices in Nigeria.
 
“When we continue to give birth to children without proper parental care and quality education, then we should expect an alarming surge in crime rates. I am afraid the situation is disturbingly high at the moment and nowhere in the country is safe.
 
“The news is daily awash with incidences of armed robbery, stealing, kidnapping, ritual killing, assassination, thuggery, banditry, brigandage, vandalism, cult clashes, attacks, illegal sexual escapades, tribal, ethnic and religious crises, political violence, internet fraud, corruption, money laundering and lots more.
 
“Every system seems to have collapsed in Nigeria. We now have incidental and accidental parents and families that do not see taking care of their children as a responsibility and a priority.
 
“The resultant effect of all these is that the masses are hungry and angry, and are ready to survive whether by hook or by crook hence the rise in crime and social vices. Except we address the problems, Nigeria is sitting on a time bomb.”
 

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A female student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State has narrated how she was sexually assaulted by her lecturer, Professor Joseph Opefeyitimi.
 
The student, last month, dragged Opefeyitimi before a university panel, saying she was “violated” by the professor.
 
She said Opefeyitimi, who is a Professor of Yoruba Incantations and Stylistics at the African Language Department, sexually molested her during a visit to his office on March 18, 2022.
In a letter addressed to the Department of Linguistics & African Languages, OAU, titled, ‘Report of Sexual Assault and Molestation Against Professor Ayo Opefeyitimi’ she said the professor invited her to his office and as she was leaving, he grabbed her from behind and asked her to be his lover.
The female student said the professor continued to grope her after which he exposed his already erect penis which he forced into her hand.
 
She said the professor pleaded with her to give him a ‘hand-job’ and despite her pleas to be left alone, the professor pulled her to himself, rubbing his penis on her buttocks.
 
The aggrieved student said she was so petrified and traumatised all through the period of the incident as she called for justice. She said the Professor is the lecturer-in-charge of one of the courses she's enrolled in and might fail her.
 
She wrote, “My name is XXX with matric no. XXX. I am writing to inform you about the unpleasant experience I had with one of my lecturers in the person of Prof. Opefeyitimi on Friday, 18th of March, 2022.
 
“He sent me a WhatsApp message on Thursday, 17th asking me to see him in his office the following day between 8 am and 2 pm. As a lecturer who I respected so much, I obliged and never questioned his order.
 
“I got to his office around 1: 23 pm. He told me that he only wanted to ask about what was going on on the campus since he wasn’t on campus the previous day.
 
“I was astounded to hear that but I told him to take the Road 7 route when ready to go home because Road 1 was blocked.
 
“He asked me to sit down and he asked me the reason why the road was blocked then I told him that I didn’t really know and heard that it was all about the appointment of the new VC.
 
“He decided to leave the office immediately and he packed his things, saying that I was a godsend to him because it was almost 2 pm and he needed to pick up his son from school.
 
“He carried the bag and as we were about to leave the office, I offered to help him with the bag but he declined and I headed for the door.
 
“He grabbed me from behind and held me so tight. At this point I was in shock, then he said and I quote “Mo fẹ́ kí èmi àti ẹ jọ wà papọ̀ ni [thrice] but problem tí mo ní tẹ́lẹ̀ ni boy XXX yẹn but mi ò rò pé ó yẹ kó jẹ́ problem mọ́” meaning ‘I want us to be together, the problem was that boy (name withheld) but I don't think that should be a problem any longer’.
 
“At this point, he had already dropped the big bag he was carrying and he held me with his other hand.
 
“He made me sit on his lap and was groping me, he then said again “Mi ò mọ bí a ṣe fẹ́ ṣe é tí o fi máa graduate pẹ̀lú 2:1 kí o lè padà wá ṣe master’s” (I don't know how to ensure you graduate with a 2:1 so you can come back to this school for master’s degree).
 
“Then I told him that he should let me go and that I will come back to see him some other day just to free myself of him.
 
“He didn’t answer me when I said that but he stood up from the chair still forcefully holding me and dragged me to the couch in his office.
 
"By this time, he had already pulled down his trousers, (and) brought out his erect penis. He grabbed my right hand and used it to rub his sexual penis. It happened so quickly that I was petrified.
 
“He continued to rub his penis and I was so distressed by the entire situation that I lost count of time. In order to appeal to him to release his hold on me, I then told him that I needed to leave his office immediately because I was already taking too long and someone was patiently waiting for me downstairs.
 
“But he replied me and said ‘Gbogbo time tí mo ní pẹ̀lú ẹ báyìí kò ju 5mins lọ, jọ̀wọ́ bá mi ṣe é mo kàn fẹ́ come ni (I won't stay longer than 5 minutes, please do it, I just want to come); I won’t touch you today please because I didn’t inform you before.’
 
“I begged him that I was not comfortable at all that he should please let me go, but he didn’t listen to me. He laid down on his couch and was using my hand to stroke his penis.
 
“At some point, he stood up, dragged me to his table, turned my back to him and was rubbing his manhood on me. At this point, all my pleas to him to please release me fell on deaf ears.
 
“He pinned me there against the table, rubbing his penis on my back, repeating over and over again, “O ṣe é, O ṣe é” (thank you).
 
“Taking advantage of my vulnerability because he is physically stronger than me, he sexually assaulted, molested, and violated me.
 
“He used both his physical strength and high office and power as a professor in the Department of African Languages and Literatures to sexually impose himself on me, despite my pleas to him that I did not want his violent actions and forced attack on me.
 
“For how long he was doing this to me, I could not tell because my heart was beating so fast out of fear, and I was drenched in sweat from a panic attack.
 
“When he finally freed me, he asked me if I would see him 8 am on Monday and I said ‘No’.
 
“He asked me why? Out of fear for my life and safety, I told him that it was because my place was far. I was trying hard to say whatever would make him release me. I had never been so terrified as I was that day in his office.
 
“He asked me where my place was. And I told him that I live at Aba Iya Gani. He then offered to come and pick me (up) but I declined, after which he asked me if I knew Olatoke Hotel at Opa. I said I did not know the place and he said that was no problem; that anytime I’m free to come on Monday, nobody will disturb him and then he gave me a thousand naira (N1,000) for transportation.
 
“I collected the money because I believed he wouldn’t have allowed me to go if I didn’t collect it from him. When we finally left the office, he sent me a message on WhatsApp thanking me and he asked if I would be on campus by 10 am on Monday and I told him that I didn’t think so.
 
“Then he said, ‘Okay, hope you are not traveling?’ And I didn’t reply him till now. The entire situation has left me feeling so traumatized. This is an obvious abuse of power in which my faith in someone who has been a teacher and mentor, someone that I look up to and had maximum respect for since the very day I entered this University, has been exploited.
 
“Professor Opefeyitimi teaches a class that I currently take, and he has the power to fail me or give me any grade that he pleases. In addition, I took another class with him, and he has not yet released the grade for that class.
 
“My career depends on the grades he gives me. I believe his failure to fully penetrate me in his office frustrated him, and I was lucky that I wore tight trousers that he was unable to yank down.
 
“I remain grateful to God that I was not wearing a dress or a skirt that day, otherwise, he would have succeeded in penetrating me, while rubbing his penis on my buttocks.
 
“Sir, I am writing this message to call your attention to this defiling act and wrongful use of his professorial power and influence.
 
“I ask that justice be served and to ensure that he does not further harm me physically or in any other way: including removing from my grades; shaming me during classes and learning activities, because I did not cooperate during his molestation, assault and molestation that fateful day in his office, which will never be erased from my memory.
“I expect that Prof. Opefeyitimi is brought to justice. His action was so quick and immediate that I believe I am not his first victim.
 
“He seemed to have practised this assault before because he seemed to know exactly what to say and what to do, as I looked stupefied before him, and he kept manipulating my body and using his genitalia as a weapon of assault.
 
“I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thank you."
In a letter addressed to the school’s vice-chancellor, Prof. Tope Ogunbodede, Opefeyitimi denied the allegation of sexual assault, saying the female student was his fiancée and that ‘all that happened in my office was consensual’.
 

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Terrorists have killed three out of 26 villagers abducted about a month ago at Ungwan Bulus, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State for failing to pay a ransom of N20 million each to secure their release.
The victims were kidnapped by the terrorists on Monday, March 21, 2022.
 
‎The bandits executed three of the victims on Monday night and threatened to kill more by 12 noon on Tuesday if their demands were not met.
 
‎Chief of Ungwan Bulus, Gideon Haruna Goni who confirmed the killing of the three victims‎ to Daily Trust, said the bandits called to inform the community to pick up the corpses of the deceased victims around Dutse community along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.
 
The Chief said the corpses had been retrieved, adding that the bandits warned if the respective families failed to pay N20 million each for other captives before 12 pm on Tuesday (April 19, 2022), the other victims would be killed.
 
“We came together as a community, raised some amount and they called us and told us to pick corpses of victims from Dutse. They threatened to kill more, especially women if their demands are not met. Twenty-six were abducted, one was released, three were killed,” he said.
 
He explained that the person, who was released was considered on health grounds.
 
The chief, who appealed to the abductors not to kill any of the victims, pleaded with the state and federal governments to come to their aid.
 
‎

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No fewer than five persons have been kidnapped by gunmen in Akpo community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Easter Monday.
It was learnt that the abducted persons had attended a traditional marriage ceremony of a cousin to the Commissioner for Special Duties, Sly Ezeokenwa and were on their way back when they were kidnapped at gunpoint.

The Commissioner who confirmed the incident noted that the victims were kidnapped at about 10pm on Monday in Akpo and that no contact has been established with them or the kidnappers.
He said “The following friends of my cousin – Sampson Okafor, Chidozie Eze, Franklin Osuuagu, Chijioke Uduba, Benedict Ozoagwu who visited for his traditional marriage yesterday (Monday) were kidnapped at gunpoint at about 10pm last night in Udo Village, Akpo (Aguata LGA) along Akpo – Nkpologwu road about 300m to Akpo Junction. We are yet to establish any contact with the victims.”
The state Police Command spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenganyia also confirmed the development. He asserted that the command had launched an operation to rescue the abducted persons.
He said, “The Command has already made contact with the Honorable Commissioner for special duties, Mr Sly Ezeonkenwa and operation is currently ongoing for possible rescue of the victims.”

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Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah

The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, says he holds no personal grudge against President Muhammadu Buhari except that his administration had failed.
Kukah, while speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday morning said Buhari makes wrong decisions and policies that are affecting the growth and development of the nation.

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah Pulse Nigeria
He said even Aisha Buhari, the nation's First Lady agrees with what he said about her husband.
Kukah said, “All those saying I attacked the president, I have never attacked his person. All I have spoken about is his inability to manage diversities effectively and efficiently. I have studied diversity as a subject and I know what I am talking about.
“Those who think these things are personal would see that I have never talked about his person or character; I believe he is a gentleman but as far as being the president is concerned, he has done a bad job, even his wife has also disagreed with his policies.
“So, those guys should not sit in their air-conditioned office drinking coffee and think everything is honky-donkey. Let them disagree with the text of my message.”
Recall that Kukah during his Easter message had accused Buhari of destroying Nigeria and also alleged that the President was allowing corruption to fester.
“With everything literally broken down, our country has become one big emergency national hospital with full occupancy,” he had said.
“Our individual hearts are broken. Our family dreams are broken. Homes are broken. Churches, Mosques, infrastructure are broken. Our educational system is broken. Our children’s lives and future are broken. Our politics is broken. Our economy is broken. Our energy system is broken. Our security system is broken. Our roads and rails are broken. Only corruption is alive and well.”
But Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, had accused the cleric of hatred for the Buhari administration and using the pulpit to play politics.
Reacting to the assertions of Shehu, Kulah said he had great respect for the president but he had failed woefully in the delivery of his job.
He said, “Let me set the record straight, I delivered my sermon to my congregation and the message. The bearers of the message are directed primarily to the good people of Sokoto dioceses.
“The president knows that I have great respect for him and he is a gentleman, but he has done a terribly bad job as the president of Nigeria.
“There is nothing I am saying that is new, all the pastors who preached yesterday during the Easter service said the same thing. Tell me one thing about the message that I preached that you disagree with and let’s discuss.”
He added, “For a Muslim (Garba Shehu) to sit down and tell me what an Easter message should contain is something.
“Buhari himself knows that there is nothing personal in what I say. One thing the president has said that humbled me is that he told me ‘Bishop Kukah, I know where you stand on any issue that has to do with Nigeria.’
“What connected me with Buhari and a lot of Muslims is not the catholic church, it is my public position on a lot of things. And I am not saying it so that you must agree with me. But Nigerians have been extraordinarily magnanimous because I have not had many people saying we disagree with you and I have not spoken because I know the issue. The primary beneficiary of what I say is me and I speak for myself. If you have any issues with me, let’s clarify the issue.”

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A former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung has resigned his membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Dalung served as minister from 2015 to 2019 and took to criticising the APC after he was not reappointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dalung in his letter of resignation to the APC ward chairman in Sabin-Gida, Langtang South Local Government Area of Plateau State said recent developments in the party conflict with his values.
“This is to convey my withdrawal of membership from the All Progressives Congress with effect from the date of this notice,” the letter signed on April 18 reads.
“It is worthy of mention that recent developments in the party conflict with my core principles of values which define the basis of allegiance to the party.
“Of note is the fact that internal democracy is critical to the survival of representative democracy without which political participation remains a mirage.”
In January, the former minister said the Buhari-led government failed Nigerians by not delivering on its campaign promises. 

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Femi Adesina

"Those who divided Nigeria with their mouths are the ones now accusing President Buhari"
Femi Adesina's recent comment on the personality of highly revered Bishop Kukah is on the least Silly, sarcastic, senseless, discourteous and above all, fool hardy.

Femi Adesina
I remember vividly the WEEKEND CONCORD NEWSPAPER in the eighties. I remember some bright Journalists under the able editorial leadership of the famous Mike Awoyinfa. One of the notable reporters then was Femi Adesina, who is currently the Special Adviser on Media to President Buhari. By the nomenclature of his appointment, he is expected to project, and defend the activities of Mr President. But unfortunately, Mr Adesina has gone overboard to become overzealous for Mr President.He is now a mere stooge in the hands of his pay master to the detriment of the Nation he was appointed to serve.He has assigned to himself an additional responsibility of playing dirty games just to impress his master. He has lost sight of the fact that the country comes first, but he has reduced his national responsibility to one man show. He cares less about the nation, only Buhari matters to him. What a shame.
Lets look at it with one track mind, what has Adesina done all these past years in office? Nothing but outright display of cloud washing and complete dishonesty. Honesty is Paramount when it comes to good public relation. You cannot afford to lie. Well, you can, but you won't get far and your reputation will be totally destroyed. This is glaring today in Adesina's case.
For sure, this is a different Adesina, a young man with innocent appearance, although, Shakes Spear counseled that appearance could be very receptive because there is no act to find the minds construction in the face. Adesina fits perfectly into Shakes Spear line of thought. He is soft spoken and gentle, yet. he is a green snake under the green grass at Also Rock. Who could have thought that the Adesina we considered "A MAN OF INTEGRITY" just a few years ago as Editor in Chief, and Managing Director of the SUN Newspapers would this dark days of our nation be an agent of darkness?
Adesina is a man that has lost all senses of decorum to become so disgusting, repulsive, and unpatriotic public relations boy for the government in power. Power has changed him, Money has changed him, and Fame has also changed him. This is certainly not the Adesina we thought we knew.
One thing is clear which Adesina must have forgotten, that is, power is very transient. So, very soon, he will vacate his present position, and when it happens, where would he turn his face, where will he find relevance again in the country. Why would Adesina eat up his future so raveciously, why didn't he choose to buy his future instead. If a man looses money, he has actually lost nothing, if a man looses power, he has lost nothing, but if a man looses INTEGRITY, then he has lost everything.
Adesina has lost it all, let him continue to wallow in his foolishness and dance non stop to the Also Rock music of shame. But very soon, the evil drums at Ask Rock will stop, and unfortunately, Adesina will be left high and dry on shores of our society, and suddenly he will realise just too late that he has lost it all.
Dr Charles Okhai, President, Nigerian Association of Christian Journalists (NACJ).

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Pursuant to the powers to exercise the prerogative of mercy vested in the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Section 175 (1—6) of the 1999 Constitution the Federal Government last week granted state pardon to two former state governors, Rev Jolly Nyame of Taraba State and Senator Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, along with 157 others. The effect of pardon amounts to the nullification of punishment or consequences of a crime and conviction. The person is fully restored as if he never committed the offence in the first place. It is perhaps for this reason that Justice John Marshall in US v. Wilson (1833) describes a state pardon “as an act of grace”. The President of Nigeria grants pardon as a prerogative or an act of discretion to correct perceived injustice, wrongful punishment or judicial excesses and this could be a tricky point given the salience of the doctrine of separation of powers. The easiest defence however is for the government to hide under the cover of public policy, or the fact that no law is broken when a state pardon is granted since it is a constitutional function. The only caveat is found in Section 175 (5) which requires the President to seek the advice of the Council of State and Section 175 (6) which asks the President to act “in accordance with the advice of the Council of State.” In Nigeria, the power to grant pardon is vested in the President with regard to federal offences (section 175) and in State Governors in respect of state offences (Section 212). A pardon is not the same as amnesty which is granted before prosecution, as seen under the Presidency of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua when he granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants nor is a state pardon a form of judicial review as defined for now under Nigerian law.     

Nigeria has a fairly long history of state pardons. In 1966, before the civil war, the Yakubu Gowon regime pardoned Chief Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Action Group, and former Premier of the defunct Western Region, and Chief Anthony Enahoro, journalist and politician, who first moved the motion for Nigeria’s Independence in 1953, both of whom had been convicted of treasonable felony in 1963. President Shehu Shagari pardoned General Yakubu Gowon to nullify the accusation that he was involved in the 1975 Bukar Dimka coup that led to the assassination of General Murtala Muhammed. The same Shagari administration pardoned the Biafran leader, Odimegwu Ojukwu, for leading the Biafran secession between 1967 and 1971. General Babangida granted pardon to Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson, two journalists with the Nigerian Guardian newspapers who were jailed under the draconian Decree 4 imposed by the Muhammadu Buhari regime. General Abdusalami Abubakar pardoned then General Olusegun Obasanjo who was convicted of involvement in a coup plot by the Abacha regime. President Obasanjo pardoned a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. In 1999, Salisu Buhari was convicted for forging his certificate- the famous Toronto scandal. His sins were later officially forgiven. In March 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan granted pardon to former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye S. Alamieyeseigha along with Lt. General Oladipo Diya (rtd.), Major-General Abdulkarim Adisa (rtd), former Managing Director of Bank of the North, Shettima Bulama, In April 2020, the Buhari administration granted pardon to former Governor of old Bendel State, Prof. Ambrose Alli, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Col. Moses Effiong, Major E.J. Olanrewaju, Babalola Ajayi and 44 others. 

Presidential pardons have been controversial in Nigeria. The general public often subjects the pardoned persons list to rigorous scrutiny, with questions usually raised about the criteria for determining who gets pardoned and who does not. This stems from the concern that it is often the privileged and well-connected members of society who have run foul of the law that are often ever so lucky. Even if this may not be completely true, the point is well made that a President with monarchical powers or a state governor seeking political patronage may exercise the powers of pardon without restraint, resulting in abuse. There are also moral and emotional concerns. In this regard, perhaps the most controversial pardon granted so far in contemporary Nigerian history would be that of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha who escaped from the arms of the law in the United Kingdom, only to return to a hero’s welcome in Nigeria and the subsequent nullification of all the sins he was alleged to have committed against the people of Bayelsa state. The pardon that was granted him by the Jonathan administration in 2013 was seen as an act of affront by both local and foreign analysts. Alams, as he was known, was accused of having corruptly enriched himself with the resources of Bayelsa state. What was overlooked in this particular case was that the pardon for Alamieyesiegha, initiated by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later effected by President Jonathan was conditional. President Yar’Adua had involved Alams in the amnesty process in the Niger Delta with a promise that in appreciation of his contributions to the cause of peace and stability in that troubled part of Nigeria, he would be granted pardon. Sometimes the trigger of controversy may simply be a blatant error on the part of the authorities as in the case of the April 2020 pardon of Chief Anthony Enahoro. Enahoro was convicted and sentenced in September 1963. He was pardoned by the Gowon regime in August 1966. He went on to become a Federal Commissioner for Information and Labour in 1967. To pardon him a second time was a loud demonstration of absent-mindedness, and to think the pardon was duly gazetted. Some government officials failed to check the records!

Controversial pardons are not limited to Nigeria. However, in the United States where the pardoning process is as in Nigeria, vested in the President, the history of pardons has been more acrimonious. Just to cite a few examples: On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford granted a full and unconditional pardon to former President Richard Nixon over his involvement in the Watergate scandal that led to his unceremonious resignation from office and any crime that he may have committed as President. Many Americans felt that the pardon was undeserved. It was a controversial decision but Ford stood his ground. He paid a heavy price for that. His popularity rating dropped. Similarly, in 1983, President Bill Clinton’s pardon of millionaire Marc Rich was generally considered too oily a bargain. On his last day in office on January 20, 2001, President Clinton announced more controversial pardons including left-wing Patty Hearst, Susan Rosenberg and Linda Evans. He also pardoned his own half-brother, Roger Clinton who was convicted of drug trafficking! His last day in office has been described as “pardongate” – a total of 140 pardons! Clinton was known for inciting public outrage with his pardons as was the case when he chose to commute the sentences of 16 FALN terrorists in 1999. His own wife, Hillary Clinton voted against the decision when it was tabled before the Senate but the President could not be stopped because he held the power of discretion to grant pardons. The whole idea of presidential pardon in the American system, a hold-over from the British system was first proposed at the 1787 Constitutional Convention by Alexander Hamilton but over the years, there have been fears about how such absolute power, resting on the discretion of one man could be abused, and indeed in his last days in office, it was thought that President Donald Trump could grant himself a pardon in advance to protect himself legally from the fall-outs of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol. President Trump tried to meet Clinton’s record, if he did not surpass it. In the final hours of his Presidency, Trump granted 70 pardons to mostly financiers and lobbyists, and executive clemency/commutations to 73 others.  

Back to Nigeria, it should in fact not be surprising that so much outrage has greeted the announcement of pardon to two former governors – Dariye and Nyame. Those who have commented on the list are not necessarily bothered about the 157 others, but the two former governors. The sentiments expressed so far are similar to the reactions that attended the pardon of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha in 2013. Like him, Nyame and Dariye were accused of corruptly enriching themselves at public expense. Dariye, Plateau State Governor (1999 -2007) was charged with money laundering (N1.16 billion). His matter went from the High Court all the way to the Supreme Court, at the end of which he was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by the High Court; this was later reduced to 10 years by the Court of Appeal, and his conviction was finally upheld by the Supreme Court. Rev Jolly Nyame, Governor of Taraba State (1999-2007) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. And now both men have been freed, completely without conditions. A pardon may be with or without conditions. Theirs is without any. Femi Falana, SAN, Jubrin Sam Okutepa, SAN, Governor Nyesom Wike, Reno Omokri and a host of others have argued that this is a form of endorsement of corruption coming from a government that says one of its cardinal tasks was to fight corruption. In his Easter homily on April 17, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto says there are many innocent people languishing inside Nigeria’s “broken system” who should also be freed. His words: “I thank the President for accepting the report of the Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy and granting pardon to over 150 Nigerians serving various terms of imprisonment. The more serious challenge is to immediately free all innocent Nigerians who are held captive and whose only crime is that they are living in Nigeria.” Mike Ozekhome, SAN in an informed commentary on the matter argues that the crux of the matter is that “granting pardon to people convicted of corrupt practices, whether still serving or having served, may be construed as tacit approval of such corrupt practices.”

 He argues further that the Council of State arrived at the endorsement of the pardon in error because the two former governors committed the offences for which they were convicted under state law, the Penal Code Act and not under Federal legislation, and to that extent, the appropriate person to grant them pardon would seem to be the governors of their respective states under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution. He asks: “where lies the justice for the impoverished people of Plateau and Taraba states who will now watch their tormentors stroll out with red carpet treatment?” Incidentally, it is not only lawyers and civil society activists that have expressed shock. It has been reported that even the officials of the anti-corruption agency, the EFCC and their lawyers are alarmed and demoralized. The agency reportedly spent 11 years and millions of Naira on the investigation and prosecution of the two former governors, and now both men are free. They have been cleansed of their sins. Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike says the judges who convicted both men have been exposed to ridicule, and that the pardon is politically motivated - Nyame and Dariye are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).  

The strongest objection that has been put up is the impression that has now been created that the state protects the rich and that the poor in Nigeria has nothing to regret more than their powerlessness and lack of connections. Hence, Femi Falana, SAN observes: “A Nigerian was jailed for stealing noodles in Abuja, he was not granted state pardon. If you want to pardon your friends, you must extend that pardon to other people in the spirit of equity and fairness.” Falana wants all thieves in prison to be pardoned – in other words, what is good for the big thief should be good also for smaller thieves.   

The reality check in all of this is that the deed is done and the President is unlikely to reverse himself. Ozekhome raises a cogent question about the people of Plateau and Taraba. I am surprised he overlooks the fact that some people in both states, including incumbent Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau, and even Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State have been thanking President Buhari for pardoning their kinsmen. The same people will organize a hero’s welcome for the two former governors. The effect of their unconditional pardon, after all, is that they have become new men - novus homo! As the political parties prepare for their presidential primaries, it is not impossible that these same men could show up as political candidates – for Senate or Vice-President or even President! The other point made by Ozekhome, with due respect, is to be seen as part of the crisis of federalism in the country. It is true that the two governors committed offences under state law, but the affected states never investigated or prosecuted them. It was the Federal Government as an interloper that did, and so, the Council of State acted according to the process in place.  

Beyond the moral anger that has been displayed, we should be more concerned about how to prevent the abuse of presidential pardon to ensure that the main beneficiaries are not the rich and mighty and that the near-absolute powers exercised by the President are curtailed to prevent a situation whereby pardons go more to friends of the ruling party or kinsmen and political associates. The Council of State, created by Section 153 (1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution, and which is referred to in an obligatory sense in Section 175 (5) and (6) is more of a ceremonial or advisory body. Its members have no powers to overrule the President in respect of state pardon, in the same manner in which the Legislature can challenge the President or the judiciary can question Executive powers by defining what the law is. The power of a President to grant pardon, while an act of benevolence, is rather slippery. He is, in any case, the Chairman of the Council of State. In order to develop our Constitutional framework further, the judiciary should be involved in the pardoning process to check arbitrariness, reduce the scope of discretion, and to ensure that there is a judicial review of the pardon list to bring it more in conformity with the laws of the land and the end of justice. But should this appear as if the judiciary is being brought into the fray to become a judge in its own case, then the Council of State should be given more powers to be part of the process of determining the pardon list, instead of being brought in at the last minute to rubber-stamp an Executive decision.  

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Residents of Angwan Bulus in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State are in a state of panic following the discovery of the corpses of five abducted persons, including three from Angwan Bulus. 

About two weeks ago, bandits attacked the Angwan Bulus community, which is a part of Kaduna city, killing one local and abducting several others.

The attack was part of a string of bloody attacks in neighbouring communities like Juji, Angwan Gimbiya and Sabo GRA.

A credible source in the area, who confirmed the development to Daily Sun, said that the bandits had called their community contact to go to a particular location at Dutse village along the Kaduna-Abuja highway to pick up the three persons killed due to failure to pay ransoms placed on their heads.

“The bandits called earlier yesterday that they have killed three of the people they kidnapped and told us where their bodies were deposited.

“The terrorists called last evening and said since we refused to pay the ransom, we should go to a location and carry the corpses of our people.

“Before we get there, we learnt that Police had already evacuated the bodies and deposited them at Saint Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Kaduna. We were at the hospital last night to confirm that.

“The terrorists made further threats that if the community and families fail to pay the ransom by tomorrow evening (Tuesday evening), they should go to the same spot and carry another set of corpses.

“Right now, we are confused. We don’t know what to do. We have sold all we ever worked for to appease these people but they want more. We are appealing to the federal and state governments to come to our rescue to save the remaining people in captivity” the source said in tears.

The spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the unfortunate development.

“I received phone calls from some people this morning me of three bodies that were found at Dutse village somewhere in the bush. The corpses were evacuated to Saint Gerald Hospital. We are trying to talk to the area commander to ensure the safe return of those who are still in captivity,” he said.

In the same vein, eight out of 20 persons that were abducted in Idon town, Kajuru LGA, had been released by their abductors after spending about two months in captivity.

 

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Which political party will organize a jamboree in the name of a Convention when people are daily being massacred across the country? Which political association will fail to honour its agreement with teachers thus leading to the closure of all government-owned universities and then turn around to gather the students together in a stadium, taunting them as leaders of tomorrow when they have no idea of how long they will spend in the university? Which political party will ban the best avenue (Twitter) for the youths to do business and engage themselves productively only to lift the suspension in order to aid its selfish electioneering campaigns? I know you know the answer to these harmless questions. Last week I dwelt on the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party in opposition. Let me now focus on the ruling party.

 

The All Progressives Congress was formed as a political party on February 6, 2013, being a merger of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change and All Nigeria People’s Party, in anticipation of the 2015 general elections. It was not making any headway as a viable alternative to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, until it succeeded in wooing some prominent but disgruntled members of the PDP, then christened newPDP. Since its victory at the polls, it has been a case of wobbling and fumbling, for the party of strange bedfellows, now struggling to retain power.

 

The documented ideology of the APC as a centre-left party is Federalism, Progressivism, Social Liberalism and Social Democracy. It had no choice but these ideals as that was the only way it could win the sympathy of voters at the time in 2015. The APC would then proceed to enthral Nigerians with a catalogue of promises rolled into a very attractive but deceptive manifesto, as a binding covenant for implementation upon assumption of office. Given the lacklustre performance of the previous administration, hopes were high indeed, that the APC would be a party of true change, but it didn’t take too long, for Nigerians to notice some foot-dragging when six months after its inauguration, the APC government could not constitute its main cabinet and governance was dragging and the economy was bleeding seriously. Unknown to many, this was only but the tip of the iceberg.

 

Generally, the political ideology of the APC is slightly pro-masses, favouring a strong and active role in government regulation. The thinking then was that since a good number of its political leaders subscribed to the social democratic political philosophies of Obafemi Awolowo and the socialist and anti-class views of Aminu Kano, the masses would benefit from the government of the APC, whose political support base was mainly in the South-West and Northern parts of Nigeria. Prior to the 2015 general elections, the APC was known mainly for its sloganeering and frequent chorusing of fiscal federalism, restructuring, devolution of powers, state police, resource control and other populist policies of social nationalism. But this was mostly chanted by its national leader Bola Tinubu, as its main presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, cleverly avoided these cores issues. It has since turned out indeed that the CPC wing of the APC is less inclined to the idea of true federalism and devolution of powers.

 

Months rolled by and years started counting, but nothing seemed to be changing for the ordinary Nigerian, as promised by the APC. To be sure, the main agenda of the APC into the 2015 election was restructuring, as stated clearly in its manifesto thus:

 

“THE CONSTITUTION

 

Initiate action to amend our Constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties and responsibilities to states and local governments in order to entrench true Federalism and the Federal spirit.”

 

In this short covenant of the APC is the mandate for restructuring, which made many Nigerians rally around the party in 2015 and 2019, with the expectation of true change, from the known status quo. The three cardinal issues in this manifesto of the APC are (1) Constitutional Amendment; (2) Devolution of Powers; and (3) True Federalism.

 

The APC betrayed Nigerians upon assuming power, given that the leading lights of its CPC wing, Muhammadu Buhari and Nasir El-Rufai, were not inclined toward this agenda and since the CPC controlled the APC in the real power equation, the idea would soon hit the rocks. The President lashed back at his own people and rubbished the APC manifesto, by describing the proponents of restructuring as lazy people, effectively silencing the radical wing of the so-called progressive party.

 

Sensing the internal contradictions that would later rock the APC, the newPDP wing outsmarted the leaders and took control of the National Assembly, signalling the beginning of the end of a once-promising party. It was only a matter of time before the APC self destruct. Its founding chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, was up in arms with the governors, most of who wanted to control their domains in the states, to be able to cover up their tracks when out of office. Whereas it paraded a national leader in its ACN wing, the CPC wing ensured that it was not documented on record as such, and would later contest that nomenclature as inconsistent with the office of the President. Meanwhile, the opportunist policy of “president for everybody and for nobody”, would soon begin to hurt the party, as this led to mini emperors in various segments of the APC, all of whom were now taking advantage of the President’s desperation to retain power. The founding Chairman had to pay the ultimate price and soon became a casualty of intense political power play. The same fate befell his successor, who despite his trumpeted revolutionary background, was booted out of power in a daylight coup organized by the President right inside Aso Villa.

 

The consequence of this was that the APC lost focus, it became a party without a goal in mind, unable to assert or proclaim any specific principle or ideology, at times even grovelling to absorb the very people that it had pilloried and lampooned as thieves and corrupt leaders. So it was that the APC died a natural death, and became a dumpsite for power mongers and avengers. The economy has paid dearly for it, the political space has become turbulent and things are falling apart, without any centre at all. In the scheme of things presently, nobody is sure of anything within the APC, which succeeded largely as an opposition party but has failed woefully as a party in power. The APC just wanted power for the sake of it, still blaming the opposition PDP even after about seven painful years in office. All friends and associates of the President are contesting for one office or the other, without first complying with the new law enacted to govern the elections.

 

Perhaps because it had not tasted power at the federal level, the APC has become overwhelmed with the burden of governance, always latching on to the ‘wasteful 16 years of PDP’, as if that alone should earn it a third term in office. Unable to satisfy Nigerians why there is still perennial blackout after seven years in office, the APC would deny that it ever promised an uninterrupted supply of electricity, with the Minister of Power chiding Nigerians to stop expecting power supply from the government since the power supply chain had been privatized. Meanwhile, the killings assumed a new dimension, with the damning Amnesty International report showing cases of compromise by security agencies. At the last count, terrorists have become more emboldened, now overrunning military and police barracks, shooting down aircraft, bombing trains and blocking major roads. The insecurity in the land got to its peak when even military men became targets of the insurgents and the governor of the President’s home state of Katsina cried out that bandits had taken over the entire state. Huge sums of money have been wasted to procure sensitive military equipment that we are told cannot be used and the court has since declared the aggressors as terrorists but the APC government cannot summon the courage to term them so in any official gazette, name them publicly or even dare try them in court.

 

To the APC, Nigerians should see good governance as a privilege and be grateful to God that APC fielded Muhammadu Buhari for elections at all, expecting that his name alone should pay the school fees of their children, put food on their tables and transform their lives completely, whereas it has now been reported that about 80 million Nigerians live below the poverty index. The economy is so bad that even the affluent have become a victim. What of education? Better summarized with the current strike by university teachers, which has shut the gates of tertiary education in all public schools across the country. Can you hail the APC for the judicial sector? Court orders are disobeyed at random, the President himself stated that the judiciary is his headache and that he has not succeeded in office because of the ‘system’, referring to due process of law and democratic principles. Do we talk about the aviation sector, where even the government itself misled Nigerians on its so-called air carrier and foreign airlines are to charge for tickets in dollars?

 

In the political arena, the APC took Nigeria to the era of inconclusive elections, which in truth is symptomatic of any election in which the ruling party suspects it may not win, using INEC to buy time to manipulate the outcome in its favour. We still have vote-buying, intimidation of voters and re-run elections all over the place. And even in the coming elections, there is so much uncertainty and confusion. What about human rights and opposition politics? Better explained with the encounter of the Shiites with the military, the bitter experiences of IPOB and the hounding of Sunday Igboho into exile while terrorists hold sway. There is so much hunger, insecurity, uncertainty and anger, all over the land, to suggest that the APC is just a misadventure in governance.

 

So, the questions to ask are these: Are we safer now than before? Are we richer now than before? Do we have a better electricity supply now than before? Do we now organize more free, fair and credible elections than before? Are we as a people, more united in tribes and tongues or faith? Are our rights and freedoms better protected now than before?

 

Let me call in aid another APC sympathiser, Pastor Tunde Bakare, to answer some of these questions:

 

“What many people are saying is that there was corruption under Jonathan, yes, but life was better. At least we were able to get this, but this man cornered all the money, locked it up…. The allegations by the Nigerian public are that those around the president are also stealing, and some names have been mentioned. You cannot be a clean man surrounded by rogues. If you don’t deal with those rogues, they would colour you with the same tar.”

 

That is APC, a complete power failure.

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Tunde Bakare

The Igbo Board of Deputies, comprising stakeholders of South-East extraction, has vowed to take Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos State, to court over his alleged hate speech and genocidal comments against the Igbo people of Nigeria.

The Igbo stakeholders in a pre-litigation letter addressed to the cleric on Tuesday, said Bakare should recant his statements using the same pulpit within seven days from the date hereof.

Tunde Bakare

The Igbo group, through their lawyer, Austin Okeke Attorneys, said it would “approach the appropriate forum, both local and international, for all available legal relief. These actions shall be at your account.”

The letter was copied to 76 different national and international organisations as well as personalities.

It reads, “We act for Igbo Board of Deputies, a Non-Profit Company “NPC” and its Trustees for the time being "our clients" under whose instructions we address this letter to you. We have waited reverently for Lent and Easter period to end before addressing this letter to you. It is our instruction not to join you in the desecration of a very sacred and holy Lenten season; it being the bedrock of the Christian faith all over the world. Your hate speech and your premeditated incitement designed for ethnic cleansing of the Igbo people in Nigeria were aired and viewed right at the heart of Lent. You are a pastor of a church indeed.

“We have waited without success for you to, on your own accord, recant your hate speech and/or withdraw the incitement of genocide against the Igbo people. It is very obvious that your speech on the day was well thought out, planned, and executed so as to achieve the purpose it was designed. These comments were made deliberately at a very fragile and tense period in the history of Nigeria, when insecurity and killings are rife.

“We are advised that on and about April 2022, you on the pulpit of Citadel Global Community Church in Lagos, Nigeria “your church” and before a multitude of congregants, worshippers, and viewers all over the world, made inciting comments against the Igbo people in the following manner: 'on the day the late Tafawa Balewa was killed the Igbo soldiers arrested him, removed his turban, poured wine on his head, and forced him to drink and then shot him. While he was being killed, he cursed the Igbo race; that they would never govern Nigeria.'"

Here is the YouTube link for ease of reference: https://youtu.be/vlf57qcE5qc

“We are of the view that your comments on the day were calculated to rouse and stoke hatred against the Igbo by a region of the country. These were the sort of falsehood sold to other regions of Nigeria as part of the hate campaign that justified and resulted in the mass murder and subsequent pogrom against the Igbo before, during and after the 1967 Nigeria-Biafra civil war that reportedly claimed over 3 million lives of the Igbo.

“We are advised that your own account of the 1966 military coup and in particular the death of the then Prime Minister of Nigeria; Alhaji Tafawa Balewa is false because you were not present and therefore cannot qualify as a credible witness.

“In the circumstance, we have been instructed to demand from you, as we hereby do, to recant your statements using the same pulpit within 7 days from the date hereof. Failing which, we have instructions to approach the appropriate forum, both local and international, for all available legal relief. These actions shall be on your account. We hope the above does not become necessary, and we do not wish you to enter into this quagmire.

“Kindly note that our clients shall enforce their rights and their resolve within the ambit of both domestic and international laws, unless and until you have publicly withdrawn your false comments. The fact that we have not exhaustively dealt with this matter at present should

not be construed as a waiver, omission and/or novation of our clients’ rights. All our clients’ rights are fully reserved. We hope you find the above in order as we await your prompt reply.”

The letter was copied to the United Nations Human Rights Commission; the International Criminal Court; and the International Court of Justice.

Also, it was sent to the President of Nigeria, Chief Justice of Nigeria, Senate President, Nigeria, embassy of the United States of America, the European Union, and the African Union among others.

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Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has warned the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, to stop sowing seeds of discord and hatred against the Igbo.

The organisation in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, was in a reaction to a comment by the traditional ruler that the Igbo could not be entrusted with the office of the Nigerian presidency.

In the said statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, the traditional ruler was quoted to say that “the style by the South-easterners is barbaric; no Nigerian will feel secure in the hands of a leader whose ethnic attachment deprived other Nigerians of their rights.”

Reacting, Ohanaeze advised the monarch to subject himself to some tutelage under more experienced cosmopolitan, intelligent monarchs like the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi on how to be a traditional ruler.

It said, “One of the qualities of a well-adjusted traditional ruler is to be open minded towards all, especially people of other ethnic groups that may be found in his domain.

“One of the reasons the traditional rulers are insulated from partisan politics is to avoid an overdrive or the kind of overzealousness exhibited by Oba Akanbi in an effort to retire a gift from his candidate for the presidency in 2023.

“In promoting his preferred candidate, he has committed a fallacy of hasty generalisation when he stated that ‘the style by south easterners is barbaric’; the Igbo cannot be trusted with power, etc.”

He added, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Prof George Obiozor is a civilised cultural organisation and by its prospectus, Ohanaeze has profound respect for culture and traditional rulers. We will therefore restrain from hoisting the monarch with his own petard, rather we advise that he should undergo some tutelage under some more experienced cosmopolitan urbane intelligent monarchs.

“It is self-evident that Nigeria is a beleaguered country that urgently needs nation building; inflammatory and incendiary remarks from monarchs and the highly placed are antithetical to peace and unity of Nigeria.

“One of the qualities of a well-adjusted traditional ruler is to be open minded towards all, especially people of other ethnic groups that may be found in his domain.”

Ohanaeze reiterated the adventurous and nation building spirit of the Igbo and noted that any claims of the Igbo being anti-Nigeria is mischievous.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Igbo are adventurous nation builders; they are found in all parts of Nigeria and beyond. They make friends easily and also feel at home with their children in all parts of world. Records across the world indicate that the Igbo are branded in Midas touch.

“They quickly learn the language and culture of the host community with a view to contribute towards the socio-economic growth of the community.

“The people of other ethnic groups that had their National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in Igbo land can always attest to the Igbo friendliness and hospitality during their service years; some ended up marrying Igbo.

“The wild claims that the Igbo prevent people from the other parts of the country from acquiring properties in their domain or have an obnoxious policy of depriving other Nigerians of their rights cannot be substantiated.

“On the other hand, it is inconceivable that a group that builds modern houses in all parts of the country will prevent other ethnics from building in their homestead. One would think that the morbid fabrication of falsehood is a terrible mischief, only for the uninitiated.”

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No fewer than 53 commissioners and other aides of state governors have resigned across the 36 states to contest for elective positions ahead of the 2023 general elections.

This is in line with Section 84 (12) of the amended Electoral Act.

This is just as some ministers at the federal level including Rotimi Amaechi (Transportation), Senator Chris Ngige (Labour & Employment), Abubakar Malami (Attorney-General of the Federation/ Minister of Justice) and other heads of federal agencies who are eyeing elective positions are yet to tender resignation.

Meanwhile Amaechi has since declared for the presidency, Ngige, barring any last minute-change, will today declare for the same position. Malami, on his part, according to sources around him, is set to contest the governorship election of his home state, Kebbi.

Many heads of federal agencies have also indicated interest in contesting governorship, senatorial and House of Representatives elections.

According to Daily Trust, the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency (NIMASA), Bashir Yusuf Jamoh, at the weekend commenced consultations for the Kaduna State governorship seat.

According to Section 84 (12), “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the nomination of candidates for any election.”

The president is yet to make any statement in this direction. 

Buhari had written the parliament requesting that the section be deleted. The lawmakers rejected the president’s request. The matter went to the Federal High Court, Umuahia, where Justice Evelyn Anyadike voided the clause, on the ground that it violates the 1999 Constitution. Daily Trust reports that the parliament has since appealed the judgement.

No fewer than 12 commissioners and aides of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State have so far tendered their resignations to contest for various elective positions come 2023.

In Kano, at least ten commissioners have resigned their appointment to be able to pursue their individual political careers, with nine of them resigning a few hours after the 48-hours ultimatum given to them by the state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

In Delta, it was reported that Ovie Agas, the Chief of Staff to the state governor, and nine commissioners have resigned their appointments.

Similarly, six commissioners in the cabinet of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel have so far resigned their position to pursue their different political ambitions. 

In Benue State, four commissioners resigned from office to enable them to face their 2023 political ambitions.

Rivers State is not left out of the gale of resignation as the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo; the Commissioner for Finance, Isaac Kamalu; Commissioner for Sports, Hon. Boma Iyayi; Special Adviser to Governor Nyesome Wike on Special Projects, George Kelly and the Accountant General of the state, Asimilaye Fubara, have all resigned in a bid to take over Brick House in Port Harcourt.

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The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into the case of sexual abuse of a 10-year-old primary six pupil of Chrisland Schools at Victoria Garden City, Lagos State.

According to a report by Punch, all parties involved in the case are expected to appear at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti on Tuesday (today).

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “All the parties involved have been invited to the State Criminal Investigation Department Panti today to give a written statement and further questioning will be done.”

The parties involved include the school’s head teacher, G.I. Azike; and the parents of the female pupil (name withheld) who alleged that their daughter was sexually abused during the school’s participation in the World School Games at Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Recall that over the weekend, the alleged sex video of some students of the school surfaced online.

The mother of the female pupil involved had come online to seek the help of Nigerians as she alleged that her daughter was drugged by the male students and forced to engage in the sexual act. See Also Sahara Reporters My Daughter Was Threatened By Chrisland School Not To Speak Up, Says Mother Of 10-year-old Pupil Allegedly Raped By Classmates 0 Comments 1 Week Ago

She further alleged that the school conducted a pregnancy test on her daughter without her (the mother's) consent.

She also claimed the video of the rape incident had been shared multiple times on social media.

She said she was not aware of what happened in Dubai till another parent showed her the video of the incident.

However, in a statement released by Akin Fadeyi, a member of the Advisory board of the school, the school authorities denied claims that it conducted a pregnancy test on the girl.

According to the school, only a COVID-19 test was conducted on all the students who embarked on the trip to Dubai.

The school also said out of the 77 students who represented the school at the event, only six were involved in the misconduct. It said they were involved in a Truth or Dare game which led to the condemnable act.

Also, reacting to allegations of negligence on their part, the school said while in Dubai, it ensured the students were kept in separate rooms, seven floors apart. It said boys were on the 4th floor of the hotel while the girls were lodged on the 11th floor.

The school said none of the students on its watch was raped. It mentioned some centres where the COVID19 tests were carried out on the students and asked people to confirm their claims.

 

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Rotimi Akeredolu

Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo State, has returned to Nigeria after staying in Germany for at least 10 days.

A source had told SaharaReporters that the governor was in the European country for medical treatment after the March 26 All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention in Abuja.

Rotimi Akeredolu

Shortly after the report, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Richard Olatunde issued a statement attacking the newspaper, claiming Akeredolu “only left for Dubai.”

“It is, therefore, glaringly insidious for anyone to claim that a man who was with his brother Governors in Dubai till March 31st, which is exactly one week today, is being hospitalised in Germany.

“What exposes this shameful falsehood is the fact that SaharaReporters claimed the Governor was flown out of the country to Germany when in fact, he left for Dubai,” Olatunde had said. See Also Sahara Reporters Ondo Governor, Akeredolu Reportedly Hospitalised in Germany 0 Comments 2 Weeks Ago

However speaking on the state-owned television station, OSRC, the governor confirmed he was in Germany for his “deserved rest.”

He said, “On the 1st, I took up my deserved rest in Germany; this is what I have done in the last a week and the half until I heard about this; the best way you can describe it is a wicked rumour that I’m not alive. They said I was bed ridden, that I was on life support but my support is Christ.”

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Nnamdi Kanu

Aloy Ejimakor, a special counsel for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has advised the Federal Government to dialogue with Nnamdi Kanu and abandon the ongoing trial.

Ejimakor, in a tweet on Tuesday, said dialogue is an amicable way to settle the issue, not trial.

Nnamdi Kanu

The lawyer quoted a section of the Federal High Court Act.

He wrote, “Sec. 17 of Federal High Court Act (Reconciliation in civil & CRIMINAL cases) says: “In any proceedings in the Court, the Court may promote RECONCILIATION among the parties thereto & encourage & facilitate the AMICABLE settlement thereof”. Dialogue is amicable. Trial is not. #MNK.”

The Nigerian Government instituted a fifteen-count charge against the IPOB leader before Justice Binta Nyako of an Abuja Federal High Court.

Eight out of the fifteen counts bordering on terrorism and related offences filed against Kanu were struck out by the court.

The judge struck out counts six, seven, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

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Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has told his counterpart from Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, that he will lose the 2023 presidency.

Wike, who is a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Monday visited Kano where he made a courtesy visit to Ganduje, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Rivers State governor speaking during the visit appealed to Ganduje to support his ambition in respect of 2023.

Responding, the Kano state governor said, “So, you have come to see your brothers and sisters. Good. You are aspiring for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We see your efforts. And at the end of it, you’d lose, but you’ll be a good loser. I appreciate good losers, because they have courage. And since you are doing it peacefully, you’ll live long to fight again. I congratulate you, Mr ‘Wise’ Wike. Thank you and God bless.”

Wike had in 2020 publicly taunted Ganduje, saying he could not influence the Edo governorship election with his ”dollars”.

“Yesterday, I was told and today I read on the pages of newspapers that one Governor Ganduje said that he is going to isolate me until the election is over,” the governor had said.

“If Nigeria is supposed to be a country, who is supposed to be isolated? A man who pockets dollars in ‘babanriga’ from contractors is not isolated and you say that me should be isolated. In this country, where are we heading to?

“Let me tell you why they [APC] made Ganduje the chairman of the campaign council – it is because of the dollars they saw.

“What he doesn’t understand is that we are from the Niger Delta; we shall chop his dollar and we will chop him to a coma. So, Ganduje, your dollar will not work in Edo State, we have integrity in our party.”

In 2018, videos of Ganduje pocketing a stash of dollars he allegedly received as a bribe from a contractor went viral.

https://mobile.twitter.com/baba__________/status/1516158218564743168/video/1

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Ahead of the 2023 general election, a group, Sowore Political Action Committee (SPAC) has invited Nigerians to join its team to help sponsor the Presidential campaign of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.

 

Those who want to support Sowore's presidential ambition financially can now do so by using Paystack. 

Paystack is a platform that allows businesses to accept payments via credit card, debit card, money transfer and mobile money on their websites or mobile apps.

 

Meanwhile, SPAC, in a short public notice issued by Damian Ugwu, explained that its duty as a Political Action Committee is to help in raising money privately to influence elections or legislation, particularly at the federal level.

 

 According to the briefing, the system is commonly used in the United States of America.

 

SPAC, which described Sowore as a man of conscience and uncommon courage, said each member of the group is required to donate between N50, 000 and N1 million monthly. 

 

As of April 8, a total of N852, 000 had been raised to support Sowore in his bid for the Presidential seat.  

 

The notice reads, “You’re cordially and respectfully invited to join the “SOWORE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE (SPAC) for the Nigerian Presidential run of Omoyele Sowore, a renowned activist, teacher, publisher, and a man of conscience and uncommon courage. 

 

“It is an organization that raises money privately to influence elections or legislation, particularly at the federal level. (Commonly used in the USA).

 

“If you agree, we will add you to a broadcast list, you’re also to feel free to suggest those who might be willing to join. Every member is expected to donate between N50k -and N1 million between now and the general elections in February 2023.

 

“Good Morning TEAMSOWORE2023: As we’ve always promised, we hereby notify the house that we have raised N852,000 as of this morning. We hope members will make their donations to this project. 

 

“Below is the Nigerian Account number and our team will release monthly account statements for transparency purposes. 

"ACCOUNT NUMBER. 1006023871

ACCOUNT NAME. OMOYELE S. SOWORE-PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN ACCT.

ZENITH BANK PLC."

 

For paystack: https://paystack.com/pay/j1xye-d4px

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The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has revealed names of militants and their commanders terrorising the South-East region.

According to a statement issued by Emma Powerful, IPOB's spokesperson on Tuesday, the unknown gunmen are members of the local Ebubeagu security team and self-acclaimed members of the Eastern Security Network (IPOB's military wing).

Their names were listed as Chibuike Igwe; Paul Udenwa; Okwudili Dim (aka) One Nigeria; Sky from Umutanze Orlu and a man nicknamed 2men from Umuna.

According to the statement, IPOB listed others terrorising Orlu in Imo State as Chinedu Agbaradu-Amagu commander; Cheta odinkenma - Amagu; Uchenna Nwachukwu; Chibyke Gezek Amagu and Chukwudi Odimegwu.

He further listed impersonators of ESN members in Oru East and Njaba LGAs of Imo State as: Akiriko Atta; Kingkom. The impersonators of ESN members in Orsu-Ihiteukwa are: The man called Uru; Sky; No one; Double lion and a man called Commander.

IPOB also placed a bounty on the head of the aforementioned persons.

The statement noted, “IPOB is hereby declaring them wanted, and anybody who can give useful information about them will get handsome reward".

It added, “We, the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU wish to disclose the names of Ebubeagu security team terrorising and killing innocent citizens of Imo State.

“The Ebubeagu leaders who are behind the killings in Orlu senatorial zone of Imo State are as follows: 1) Chibuike Igwe 2) Paul Udenwa From Amaifeke Orlu 3) Okwudili Dim (aka) One Nigeria 4) The man called Sky from Umutanze Orlu and the man called 2men from Umuna in Orlu. Anybody who knows the whereabouts of these people should report to IPOB and ESN members for prompt action.

“Again, the fake self-acclaimed ESN operatives terrorising Orlu province of our land should be brought to book. They are also part of the Killings, kidnappings and rapes going in that vicinity. These vampires are forcing the residents to buy them guns or give them money to continue with their barbaric activities. These are hoodlums recruited by corrupt politicians and security agencies to demonise IPOB, and now they are out of their control. They carry out this evil act right from 12am to 3am daily. They are as follows:

“1) Cyril Amasiatu (aka) wasara. 2) Iron Agbaradu from-Amagu. 3) Chinedu Agbaradu-Amagu commander. 4) Cheta odinkenma - Amagu. 5) Uchenna Nwachukwu. 6) Chibyke Gezek Amagu 7) Chukwudi Odimegwu. The fake ESN members in Oru East and Njaba LGAs of Imo State are.

“1. Akiriko Atta. 2. Kingdom. The impersonators of ESN members in Orsu- Ihiteukwa are: 1. The man called Uru, 2. The man called sky, 3. The man called No one, 4. The man called Double lion 5. and The man called Commander. These people mentioned above are behind the criminalities going-on in these communities including kidnapping, car snatching and rape. IPOB is hereby declaring them wanted, and anybody who can give useful information about them will get handsome reward.

“These criminals mentioned have done a lot of damage to our people living in Orlu area of Imo State. IPOB has always told the public that the above-mentioned hoodlums are part of the criminalities going on in our land.

“No criminal should be allowed to demonise IPOB. These agents of darkness and their sponsors should be brought to book to pay for their atrocities.” 

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